FingerTrips: Learning Geography through Tangible Finger Trips into 3D Augmented Maps

Abstract

Tangible physical maps couple physical landscape model with digital information and can become an invaluable asset for learning geography in an embodied way. The objective of this work is to create and evaluate an easily constructible 3D tangible map for elementary students. The main differentiations of our approach are two: a) we suggest a new interaction style on the map for learning geography purposes, the use of trips with fingers b) the proposed setting can be recreated and reprogrammed even by students in primary education. 58 4th grade students participated in a pilot study. The participants played with the FingerTrips environment in 24 sessions and in groups of 2 or 3. Students supported that FingerTrips are very pleasant and easy to use, promote efficient and effective learning and help them to learn faster and to learn more things than with the traditional means. Such an approach differs drastically from traditional means of learning, is closer to students' interactive experiences and expectations, gamifies learning and exploits embodied learning opportunities.